May 2004

Dear Friends,

As our relatively short interregnum draws to its close and a new and exciting chapter in the life of St. Peter’s is about to begin, may I, in this my final letter, first take the opportunity to offer a personal word of thanks to all who have supported me in this ‘new experience’ of holding the reins of a parish as large and lively as this one. It has been a steep learning curve, and one which, no matter how well or badly it has gone at times, I could not have managed without your on-going support, prayers and encouragement.

In such a brief period we have been through so many and varied events together, happy and sad, joyful and meditative, community and personal - and not only have our numbers not dropped away, we have even managed to welcome some new faces to the flock.

All this bodes well for our new incumbent, provided we recognise in whose strength we have got through these last months, namely that of the Holy Spirit.

And as we approach Pentecost and our fresh start we must remain constant in prayer for the Holy Spirit’s presence in all we are, all we plan and all we do in our personal and congregational lives. Only in this way will we continue to fulfil the Mission Statement we so proudly declare on the front of this Review.

We welcome Malcolm and Valerie, with their new and different gifts, to lead us on from where Nick and Bev left off, to encourage and support each of us to show forth the deep joy and peace of Christ in our lives and to enable us to witness more fully yet to those around us.

Yours in Christ,

Les Lawrinson

PCC MEETING – 8th March, 2004

Trevor Singleton opened the meeting and invited Rev. Les Lawrinson to lead us all in prayer. Minutes of the previous meeting where approved and signed.

Fund raising for the Parish Hall continues. A big "thank you" to Christine Turner who's "Birthday Bath" raised £515. Several other events have taken place since, Nigel will update us on the current figures at the next meeting. Nigel also reported that, at the instigation of Peter Karran MHK, famous local artist Norman Sayle has agreed to the sale of a limited edition of signed prints of a painting he has done of the Parish Hall. Details have yet to be finalised - watch this space!

The Stewardship Campaign has resulted in an increase of income of £4,000 per annum. Elaine Cory, campaign director, reported that, although we had not reached our target figure, we thank the Lord for a regular dependable income. Elaine thanked all those who helped, especially Chairman Colin Clague, Secretary Jane Cretney and Hosting Committee Chairman Sylvia Lawrinson. Colin, in his turn, thanked Elaine for all her hard work.

Peter Cory then reported on the church finances, and the impact on them of the results of the Stewardship Campaign. Facts and figures will be presented at the AGM in the Parish Hall on Thurs. 29th April at 8pm. Please bring contributions to the buffet supper afterwards.

It was decided that there will not be a Christmas card competition this year as we still have stocks of last years cards, and there will be a card on sale in aid of the Parish Hall Fund.

St. Peter's is to participate in this years' Flower Festival, which is for one week from Sunday 4th July. The theme this year is "and on the seventh day". It is hoped that the disabled access will be completed in time for this event.

The Institution and Induction of the Revd. Canon Malcolm Convery as our new Vicar will take place on Friday 21st May at 7.30pm. The Mothers' Union has agreed to co-ordinate a buffet in the Parish Hall after the service.

Christian Aid Week will be held from 9th - 15th May. St. Peter's
Coordinator is Eric Foster and he will be pleased to hear from all you willing volunteers.

The annual Rogation Service at Ballakilmartin Farm, courtesy of Harvey and Laura Briggs, will be held on Sunday 16th May at 3pm. We are inviting our Methodist friends to join us this year. Tea and cakes will be served.

Amanda Kimberley suggested that it was important to carry on with our commitment and support for the annual "Manifest" up at Ramsey. All agreed - volunteers please.

Hazel Johnson enquired about a Memorial Book for church, similar to the one at the Crematorium. It was felt that this would be passed on the Burial Authority.

Sylvia Lawrinson requested a continuation of support for Kenyon's. It was agreed to make a donation towards the insurance from our Charitable Giving Fund.

The date of the next meeting was set at 29th March in order to "Receive the Accounts" prior to the AGM. The meeting closed with prayers and the Grace led by Rev. Les Lawrinson.
Carole Bairstow

OTHERS UNION

Another interesting month for both our groups. April saw the last of our Lent Lunches and we were able to make donations to the following charities;

Parish Hall Appeal £250
Riding for the Disabled £150
Children's Hospice, Romania £150
Douglas Lifeboat £150
Kenyon's Drop-in Centre £150
Salvation Army £150

The afternoon group had an interesting talk from Margaret Burrow when she managed to have us all interested in the connection between mathematics and theology!

The evening group had a hilariously funny evening doing their own "Call My Bluff" with the assistance of two husbands.

Now we look forward to May. The afternoon group will be meeting at 2pm as usual. On the 11th we will be welcoming Barbara Hyde who will tell us about her involvement with all the Indoor members on the Island and on the 25th our guest is Mrs Susan Knowles the wife of our new Bishop. I know we are in for two interesting afternoons.

The evening group are holding a Barn Dance on the 22nd May. Tickets are now being sold at £5 each for adults and £2 for children - it promises to be a great evening with the Calor Gas Ceilidh Band.

We carry on looking at the family in our prayers and this month we pray for 'Single Parents':

Lord,
we pray that you will give strength, patience and wisdom
to single parents trying to be both mother and father to their children,
while at the same time facing up to their own needs.
Put into the hearts and minds of loving family, friends and neighbours
the need to give support and help,
to provide the benefits that are lacking. Amen.

Sylvia Lawrinson

LADIES FELLOWSHIP

Mr Norman Rivers was the speaker at our first meeting in April when he spoke about the ongoing problems of the children from Belarus and about the work of the Friends of Chernobyl Children's charity which brings children to the Isle of Man for 4 weeks holiday during the summer. The second meeting was a fun night – Beetle and Chips – which was enjoyed by all those who came. The final meeting of the year is the AGM on the 5th May followed by a faith buffet.


PARISH HALL – thanks to so many!

First of all a big thank you to Dawn Kewley for organising yet another successful sale of baby clothes, equipment, toys and maternity wear – it brought in over £100 for the Appeal Fund – and the next sale is already planned for Wednesday, the 30th June at 7.30 pm in the Parish Hall.

Next a big thank you to Mildred Cooper for letting us have the use of her lovely home and garden, Woodlands for an Easter Coffee morning. With plant, cake, and Easter fancy goods stalls, a raffle and a Lucky Chance Egg game, and egg painting - many thanks to Derek Winterbottom, that fine art aficionado, for taking on the daunting job of judge – an egg hunt (with carrot for the Easter Bunny) and an egg roll Woodlands resounded to the sound of laughter and chatter with many new faces supporting the Appeal to the tune of £550. Thanks and well done everyone, especially from the Easter Bunny, with special thanks to Mildred, all the helpers including Amanda and Katie for doing such a marvellous job with the egg painting.

And it didn't stop there with Gordon Astill organising a Coffee Evening & Pre Guild Concert with cake and fancy goods stalls and raffle in the hall which raised £204. What local talent we have with those who entered the Guild having the opportunity to practice in front of an audience – let's hope they all performed well at the Guild for they certainly entertained everyone that night. Many thanks must go to Gordon, the performers and all the helpers.

Turning to the Lent lunches and the ladies who always work so tirelessly to put them on and to the many who enjoyed the congenial company and excellent food a big thank you for without your efforts and support so much money would not have been raised with £250 going to the Appeal. Thank you.

And now a date for your diary – a T. E. Brown evening in aid of the Appeal is being planned by Sylvia for Friday 18th June in the Parish Hall. See the advert for more details, tickets available soon, but put it in your diary now!
STEWARDSHIP

I have now completed my final report for our Christian Stewardship Renewal Campaign which will be circulated to all PCC and Steering Committee members.

If you would like a copy please contact me either in Church or telephone 624910 or contact Jane at the Parish Office.
Elaine Cory
Stewardship Director

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK – 9th to 15th May, 2004

Since the note in the March Review, an extra four of you have come forward to help Christian Aid collections this year. Now, that still leaves over 800 homes South of Governors/Main Road unallocated to a collector from either St. Peter's or Onchan Methodist Church. If you could help, please tell me very soon on 627425, to enable your collection "bits and pieces" to be readied in time! The usual table will be in Church on 25th April and 2nd May. This year's Manx funded project will be based in Mali, a water-supply scheme.

There will be a Christian Aid Coffee Morning on Saturday 15th May, at
30 Wybourn Drive, Onchan, the home of Liz Tyson (Methodist Christian Aid Organiser for Onchan) and her husband David. It runs from 10 am to Noon (cost £1), with cake and confectionery stalls and a raffle.

For whatever help you may give, thank you …..in advance!
Eric Foster

Come and join
Derek Winterbottom
for
"An Evening with T.E. Brown"

Friday 18th June, 2004 at 8 p.m

Onchan Parish Hall, Royal Avenue

Wine and Canapés Tickets £10

Proceeds to the Onchan Parish Hall Appeal

ROGATION SUNDAY – 16th May at 3 p.m.

As in previous years we will be holding a service at Ballakilmartin by the kind invitation of Laura and Harvey Briggs, at which we hope we will be joined by our Methodist friends.

Although we have previously been blest we cannot guarantee the weather, but we can offer a wonderful occasion as we pray for the agricultural industry as the seeds are sown and the land prepared.

Harvey & Laura hope that you will join them for refreshments following the service. Please note – no evening service that day.

ST. PETER'S PARISH CHURCH

INSTITUTION & INDUCTION
OF
REV. CANON MALCOLM CONVERY
as Vicar of the Parish
by
The Lord Bishop
Rt. Rev. Graeme Knowles
on
Friday 21st May, 2004
at 7.30 pm

"TO MAKE BREAD YOU NEED DOUGH"

That was the headline that caught my eye recently, but it wasn't on the cookery page of a magazine!

No, the "dough" referred to was the money needed to send to the world's poorest people to help them to help themselves; to provide wells, grain, agricultural equipment, and to train people to develop the land and grow the food they need.

So, in Christian Aid Week from 9th to 15th May, please remember that nobody can make bread without dough. As Francis Bacon truly said, "Money is like muck, not good except it be spread".

FROM THE REGISTERS

BAPTISMS

Lewis Albert Richard Bridson, Eleanor Jane Harris,
Sam Cunningham, Aaron Thomas Kirk, Jamie Peter Collister

WEDDINGS

Eamonn Maurice McCann and Lara Catharine Howard
Stephen Moran and Pauline Moran
Steven Zybert and Emma McDowell
Phillip Connolly and Catherine Palmer
Michael Patrick and Melanie Caroline Hebdon (Blessing)

FUNERALS

Sheila Corkill, Lillian May Dobson, Esther Lillian Fairhurst,
Dorothy Thomas, Dorothy Maureen Jenkins,
Walter Norman Vondy Kelly, James John McGregor Forgie


OFFERTORY

The offertory for March totalled £11,003.55 and was made up of £9,341.92 pledged giving and £1,661.63 of loose plate giving

Thank you.